The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has urged the Senate to immediately commence the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte. The call came one day after the House of Representatives impeached the Vice President on Monday, with 257 votes in favor, 25 against, and 9 abstentions.
CBCP Appeals to Senators
The CBCP appealed to senators to follow the mandate of the law by proceeding with the trial, summoning witnesses, hearing testimonies, and voting based on evidence, with the goal of achieving truth and justice. The Church emphasized that senators should avoid any actions that could be considered a betrayal of their sworn duty or an evasion of constitutional requirements.
Restoring Public Trust
According to the CBCP, this is an opportunity to restore public trust in institutions that adhere to the rule of law. The CBCP also urged the Senate not to delay convening as an impeachment court after the House transmits the Articles of Impeachment. They stated that any delay would also be a delay of justice for the Filipino people.
The CBCP encouraged Filipinos to pray for the country's situation amid the current circumstances.
